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Fountain Care & Maintenance
Your fountain has been completely handcrafted by Artisan Greg Hooker to be a one-of-a-kind work of art. With a little care and periodic maintenance, it will provide many years of enjoyment. The following information will help keep your fountain in good working condition. However, should you encounter a problem not addressed here, please don’t hesitate to contact us at “Fountains of Living Waters”.
PLACEMENT OF YOUR FOUNTAIN: Your fountain is designed for absolute minimal splash. However, when placing it indoors don’t position it directly on a surface that water may damage - such as a wood floor or table. When placing it on these types of surfaces, be sure and situate a water-proof-mat under and around it. If you are placing your fountain outdoors you also need to be selective in its location. Situating it under a tree or heavy foliage, for example, will constitute frequent cleaning of the tank and pump due to debris falling into your fountain. If you place it in direct sunlight, evaporation will be more prevalent and require frequent fillings. WATER LEVEL: Maintain your fountains water level to within 1 inch of the top and always above the top of the pump. NEVER ALLOW YOUR FOUNTAIN TO RUN DRY! THIS WILL CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE PUMP AND VOID IT’S WARRANTY! WATER EVAPORATION: Due to evaporation it will be necessary to replenish the water in your fountain from time to time (evaporation rate will vary according to the atmospheric conditions and the size of your fountains tank). It is advisable to use only filtered water in your fountain. Well, spring, or any water that has a high mineral content is not recommended as they will cause premature mineral buildup on your fountain and could clog the pump and water lines. Even some municipal water sources carry a high content of chemicals, minerals and salts that could cause unsightly scale buildup on your fountain. WATER CHANGING: Periodically (about once every month or two), because of normal household dust accumulation, it becomes necessary to empty your fountain, rinse it clean and replenish it with fresh water. This is unavoidable, as water is a natural attractant of airborne dust and over a period of time will accumulate in the water causing it to become “slimy” and undesirable. Cleaning your fountain regularly, however, will ensure this doesn’t present a problem. ALGAE GROWTH: Under some circumstances you may experience a problem with the growth of algae in your fountain. This is most common in a warm atmosphere especially if your fountain is placed in a sunny location. Don’t use bleach! Bleach has a soap content that will cause your fountain to “foam”. The best remedy for algae is to add a product called “Small Fountain Clear” once a week to the water in your fountain. You may obtain this product by contacting “Fountains of Living Waters”. PUMP MAINTENANCE: The pump in your fountain is designed to run continuous (except for leaving it unattended for several days). Cutting a pump on and off will shorten its life and cause it to vibrate and hum. Just as dust and debris accumulates in the water over time, the inside of your pump may need cleaning periodically. Most pumps simply “snap” apart and are easily disassembled for cleaning. If you need help or advice with this procedure, please contact us. PUMP REPLACEMENT: At “Fountains of Living Waters” we use the best pumps available, especially since they are the “heart” of your fountain. Be that as it may, they do go out from time to time*. When this happens, simply contact us and tell us what kind of pump and fountain you have. We’ll put one in the mail and you’ll be up and running in no time! * Pumps carry a 6 month guarantee from the date of purchase, excluding, but not limited to damage caused by negligence - such as allowing the fountain to run dry. FLOW ADJUSTMENT: A valve is located on the side of the pump, or in the water line (depending on the model), which enables you to adjust the water flow to suit your taste, eliminate splashing, and “fine tune” the sound of your fountain. CLEANING: Copper is a lasting metal and increases with beauty as the elements in the water react with its surface to produce a blue/green patina. This is the inevitable nature of copper. It is not rust, but actually a protective coating which adds to the fountains beauty and is highly desirable by many people. Just the same, the outside of your fountain may be kept shiny, if you wish, by cleaning it with a fine sandpaper on a sponge (available from Wal-Mart® or Sears®) dipped in water and sprinkled with “Bar Keepers Friend®”. Rub the area with the sanding sponge and cleaner and wipe the residue off with a cloth. Afterwards, apply a coating of WD 40® by spraying it on a rag and wiping the clean surface. This will help prolong the clean finish. Never use steel wool, Brillo pads, etc. on your copper fountain! You can order these cleaning sponges and cleaners by contacting us at “Fountains of Living Waters”, or purchase them at your local department store. WINTER MAINTENANCE (Outdoors): Depending on the geographical area you live in, you may need to drain and move your fountain to an area that will protect it from freezing weather and snow. Never run your fountain if ice or snow is beginning to form on it. This excessive strain could cause stress fractures in the metal resulting in breakage and leakage. If in doubt, move it! It’s better to be safe than sorry. PET SAFETY: It is perfectly safe to allow your pets to drink from your fountain. They will prefer a drink from it rather than their water bowl! However, due to the properties of copper, do not place plants, fish or other water creatures in the tank! They will not survive. GENERAL SAFETY: It is highly recommended you plug your fountain into a “ground fault breaker” to insure against electrical shock in the event of a short (these are inexpensive and can be purchased by contacting us at “Fountains of Living Waters”, or from your local hardware store). LASTLY, ENJOY YOUR FOUNTAIN! Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at “Fountains of Living Waters” and we will be happy to provide you with an answer or help in any way we can.
Fountains of Living Waters 601 Glades Road #25, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Galley Ph. (865) 247-0062, Cell (423) 276-4090 |
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By Artisan Greg Hooker |
